Keep your feeders full and humming

CORPUS CHRISTI - We've had some harsh weather lately, and the poor little birds must be feeling cold. And we are enjoying the few days of our brief winter, remembering that our golf courses are full of happy snow birds enjoying what, to them, are pleasantly cool sweater mornings and short-sleeve afternoons.

Actually the poor little birds are snow birds too, having fled south to escape middle-western winter. The food supply is what draws the birds. Having been replenished by ample rain, things are probably looking good for the insect crop and providing adequate food for the birds.

Many birders have reported woodcocks this winter. As readers know, this is one of my favorite birds. It is a nocturnal species with a striped head and often it flies up when someone walks by its napping place. It feeds in moist soil, among fallen leaves.

One of the most abundant winter birds in trees and bushes is the yellow-rumped warbler. Easily identified, it sports a yellow spot on the top of its tail. A rarer member of the species, the Audubon's yellow rump, has yellow on its breast as well. This family travels in flocks and makes quite a bit of noise, keeping in touch with the other travelers in its group.

Another warbler sometimes seen in winter at hummingbird feeders is the orange crowned warbler. The crown is seldom seen, so don't expect it to provide a field mark. This little bird is a dingy green color all over, with a tiny spot of yellow under its tail.

On the subject of hummingbird feeders, I keep one filled all winter. I have had customers every day. The syrup recipe is the same as in spring: one cup of sugar to four cups of water. Bring to a boil. Store in refrigerator.

By putting that out, I've seen several rufous hummingbirds. Most visitors now are buff-bellied, a larger bird, and an occasional black-chinned.

Ruby-crowned kinglets display their red crowns only when very mad. They talk and scold and are lively. Blue gray gnatcatchers are often found with them. These look like miniature mockingbirds with a cocked tail.

House wrens often arrive with northers and hide around the shrubbery in sheltered yards. Look too for less likely winter wrens — They hide in clumps of foliage or compost.

Raptors are more likely to be seen closer to residences in winter. Cooper's hawks and sharp-tailed hawks sometimes haunt seed feeders, looking for an easy meal.

A pair of peregrine falcons regularly resides on the buildings opposite Trinity Towers. Peregrines have also been regular visitors at a water tower on Carmel Parkway.